MAY '15
"The test of a leader's credibility lies in his or her ability to mobilize others."
– The Paul Revere Principle
Paul Revere and William Dawes both made a midnight ride, but only one was able to connect with and influence people.
Teacher Appreciation Week: Nationally this is recognized May 4-8, 2015. Be creative and work with your other
stakeholder groups to make this a special week for the staff. There is no doubt this has been a hard year with negative press
and budget cut issues, so make a point of letting the staff know you appreciate them. Consider finding ways to celebrate
them each day of the week:
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Monday - PTA sponsored bagels and coffee in the lounge.
Tuesday - A special note from the Administrative team with a piece of candy. I often made these on card stock and
printed on a color copier.
Wednesday - Have the student council make a sign for each teacher’s door with positive attributes about the teacher
from the student’s perspective.
Thursday - Pull out your wallet and ask the PTA to contribute for a staff lunch. I found platters from Jimmy Johns or
a taco bar from the cafeteria staff to be cost effective and much appreciated options.
Friday - Let this be a casual day for the staff and make an announcement thanking them for everything they do to
make your students and school shine.
Final Exams: Final exams are taking on a new level of importance as many Districts will use these post-test results to
demonstrate student growth. Make sure that your school/District has clear common assessment policies and procedures,
such as: What type of review activities are permitted? Are notes, calculators and reference materials allowed to be used
during the exam? What percentage of the final grade will the exam count toward?
2015-16 Teacher Schedules: The new teacher tenure laws require careful thought and consideration when
assigning teacher schedules. It is more important than ever to ensure that teachers in the core subject areas have “balanced
schedules” (a mix of upper and lower level students throughout their day). This will help to ensure fairness and equity when
using student growth data as part of the evaluation process. Allow teachers to have input into their schedules but retain
“right of assignment.” Here are some good guidelines to follow:
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All teachers must have balanced schedules. (Example: 3 sections of Algebra I and 2 sections of Calculus BC)
Core teachers must also have a balance of elective and required classes. (Example: 2 Sections of LA 9, 2 Sections of
LA 11 and 1 section of Creative Writing)
Make sure to check the MDE Endorsement Code list so that you are in compliance.
Whenever possible, teachers should not have more than three preps.
Summer School: As soon as final grades are posted, make sure that counselors do a final check of students needing
summer school. It should be the counselor’s responsibility to make these contacts with families and to ensure that written
notification of credit deficiencies is in the student’s file.
KEY: Principal’s Help Desk (PHD) § Model Student Handbook (MSH) § Principal Workshop Session (PWS)
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MAY '15
Student Schedules: In many Districts students have identified their course choices and the master schedule is in
the process of being developed. Make sure that all necessary notification letters have been written and sent for placement
into Advanced Placement, Honors and/or Remedial level classes. It is important to make students/parents aware of the
placement policy, the procedures followed and the result. If the student was not placed in the advanced class they were
seeking, what is the alternative? If they are placed in a remedial course is there an appeal process?
Locker Cleanout: Allow time for students to clean out their lockers prior to the last few weeks of school. Custodians
should put trashcans in the locker bays and teachers can assist with supervision as students clean out their lockers.
Graduation Planning Reminders: While you probably have been planning some of the larger components
of graduation long before May, this is a good time to begin double-checking yourself and making sure that you have all
of the fine details managed. Graduation is one of the biggest stages for a high school principal, so make sure you have
things in order: Have you double checked to make sure the photographer is coming to the right location? Have you made
arrangements with your Band and Choir Directors for what their role in the ceremony will be? Are your programs ordered
and have you quadruple checked to make sure that every graduate’s name will be printed? Do you have invitations sent to
your board of education and central office administration? These are the small details that can become big issues if they are
not double checked, and May is the perfect time to revisit the graduation plan.
8th Graders and/or Seniors Last Days: Anticipate end of the year shenanigans. Meet with custodial
staff, campus security, local police and parent groups to discuss plans for the end of the year. Make sure there is clear
communication to the students and all stakeholders about a positive end to the year and the possible consequences for those
who make poor choices. If there are negative traditions such as shaving cream fights at the middle level and senior pranks
at the high school – what can be done to anticipate these events and either eliminate or minimize their disruption. Consider
alternate ways to dismiss students on the last day of school – this may allow you to change negative patterns and to catch
students off guard.
8th Grade Farewell and/or Commencement: The last major event of a student’s academic career at each level
marks a milestone. Attention to detail (double- and triple-checking) will pay off. Make an event day check list to ensure you
don’t forget any of the little things that need to happen – flowers on the stage, verify speaker attendance, programs printed
and onsite for distribution, music, etc. Plan to arrive well ahead of the scheduled event…you will be more relaxed and
confident when you visually see the setting and you’ve made sure everything is ready to go. If time allows, visit with parents
and greet guests – they love to see you, especially on a special day for their student.
Exit Interviews: Consider holding short meetings with groups of 8th graders and/or Seniors before they leave. Ask
them to share their thoughts about their experience at your school: What are their best memories? What are things that
could be improved? What content area teachers have made them feel most prepared for the next level? What advice would
they have to younger students? Type up these comments and share with staff at a later date.
KEY: Principal’s Help Desk (PHD) § Model Student Handbook (MSH) § Principal Workshop Session (PWS)
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MAY '15
End Strong: Make time to meet with all key stakeholder groups to begin planning for next year such as:
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Department Chairs and Teacher Leaders: Get all supply lists and verify textbook needs. Discuss any staffing
and teacher scheduling concerns, enlist their assistance and support to find solutions to any of these issues. Are
there any groups meeting over the summer to do curriculum work? Will you need any staff members to assist with
interviews? Will there be “test out” opportunities for students over the summer – who will correct these exams?
Student Council and Class Sponsors: Is there a theme for next year? Is there a specific charity you will be
supporting? What calendar events are already in place for 2015-16?
Student Council: Do you need student council support for freshman orientation or any other summer events?
When is Homecoming next fall?
PTA: Set-up your meeting dates for the 2015-16 school year. Verify contact information for the PTA officers and
plan to meet at least once over the summer to talk about the upcoming school year and to just touch base
Secretaries and Support Staff: Meet with secretaries about end of the year reports and wrap up as well as
packets and pieces that need to be completed over the summer to ensure a smooth return.
Coaches and ADs: Make sure that all coaches are aware of the MHSAA dead period and that all observe this rule.
Get a list of coach contact information, tryout dates and summer camps for reference when new students enroll.
Custodial and Maintenance: Discuss any end-of-the-year set up for events, campus clean up needed after
student dismissal and summer cleaning schedules. Are there times when portions of the building will be off limits
(e.g. for floor waxing or construction)?
Monthly Meetings: Here are two items you should consider adding to your staff meeting agenda this month.
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Staff Meeting Icebreaker of the Month: Paper Tearing - Each person has one blank 8 ½-by-11-inch sheet of
paper. Tell them: "Hold the paper in front of you, close your eyes and follow the directions you hear." Participants
cannot ask questions. Give the following directions, carrying them out yourself with your own sheet of paper and
pausing after each instruction to give the group time to comply:
• The first thing I want you to do is to fold your sheet of paper in half.
• Now, tear off the upper right-hand corner.
• Fold it in half again and tear off the upper left hand corner of the sheet.
• Fold it in half again. Now tear off the lower right-hand corner of the sheet.
After the tearing is complete, have all participants open their eyes. Say: "If I did a good job of communicating and you did a good job of listening, all of our sheets should look the same.” Hold your sheet up for them to see. It is highly unlikely any sheet will match yours exactly.
Ask the group why no one’s paper matched yours.This opens the door for a great conversation on the need for two-
way communication in the workplace.
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Teacher Meeting Topics of the Month and Mentor Teacher Checklist: (PHD) Email the mentor checklist to
your mentor teachers each month to encourage conversation with untenured teacher mentees.
KEY: Principal’s Help Desk (PHD) § Model Student Handbook (MSH) § Principal Workshop Session (PWS)
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